HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-30-AC-MIN.pdf APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 1995
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 7:30 PM
Present: P Lapointe, C Coughlin, J Pagett, M Miley, R Borghesani, R Leone,
R Neumeier, L Peck, J Ryan, M Schroeder
Absent: M Mairson
* P Lapointe announced that there will be a meeting on Saturday, April 1, 1995 at 9:00 am
in the BOS meeting room with the BOS, AC, SC and CEC. All members should try to
attend.
* Discussion followed on the estimated current shortfall for Fy 96.
* Current shortfall is difficult to determine but is estimated to be in the area of $ 520,000.
This estimate contains an assumption that there will be an additional revenue stream of
approximately $ 400,000 made up of an increase in lottery funds, additional revenue for
Ed Reform as well as additional growth over the amount originally projected.
* R Neumeier suggested that the AC look at the municipal budget.
* C Coughlin presented possible options (see attached). General discussion of the proposals
followed. Discussion centered on the seasonal employees in the Park, Cemetery and
Recycle Program. Street light budget was also discussed.
* R Leone discussed his review of the Police and Fire budgets. Overall the costs of
operating the Fire Department are low although the programmatic costs are high,
specifically the cost associated with keeping the East Lexington fire station open
( $ 600,000). Discussion of the possibility of not filling the Chief's position for a period
of time in order to save the cost of the deputy's position ($ 54,000).
* R Neumeier raised the possibility of suggesting that the override be increased to $ 1.6 or
1.7 million.
* P Lapointe questioned the need to appropriate $ 75,000 for unemployment if there are
no layoffs in the immediate future. Historical expenditures do not support an
appropriation of $ 75,000.
* R Leone posed the question of fy 95 transfers to cover the fy 95 deficits vs appropriating
from free cash. Transfers are a possibility if funds are available.
* R Borghesani brought up the idea of program cuts ( ambulance, East Lexington) vs nickel
and diming budgets.
* Proposed cuts:
Municipal Salaries $ 24,000
DPW $ 82,000
Unemployment Insurance $ 50,000
Fire $ 54,000
Debt Service $ 10,000
These possible areas of reduction total $ 220,000.
* MOTION to cut the school request by $ 150,000 to $ 37,267,579.UNANIMOUS
* MOTION to cut $ 100,000 from the municipal requests. Provide the above list to the
BOS and let them decide where the cuts will come from. APPROVED 6Y, 2N, 1A
(voting against R Leone and M Miley).
* MOTION to recommend that an additional $ 270,000 be appropriated from free cash in
order to close the deficit. UNANIMOUS
* MOTION to recommend appropriation and transfers as proposed to deal with fy 95
deficits. Reserve Fund allocation: Municipal $ 150,000 and Schools $ 100,000.
Transfer under Article 5: Allocate $ 200,000 from free cash with the balance of their
problem being addressed within the school fy 95 appropriation. 7Y, 1N, 1A
( R Leone voting against).
* MOTION to recommend an override of $ 1,500,000.6Y, 2N, 1A ( R Leone and M Miley
voting against).
* MOTION that the Town have a free cash policy to retain 2.5% of the prior years
operating revenues (General Fund). 5Y, 1N, 2A (R Leone voting against, M Miley and
M Mairson absent).
acmtmr30
Proposal from Chris Coughlin
March 30, 1995
FY96 - Current "gap" is $520,00
Schools - reduce amount that we voted last week by $150,000
Municipal - reduce Selectmen's current budget by $100,000
reduce Municipal Salary Adjustment by $24,000 (per R. White 3/20)
reduce DPW Compensation by $54,000 (new staffing for cemetary and
Parks and Grounds - no benefit implication because they are
seasonal employees)
reduce DPW expenses by $22,000 (Street Lighting)
Allocate $270,000 from Free Cash
FY95 Deficits
Reserve Fund allocations ($250,000):
Municipal - $150,000 (anything additional needs to be handled by
management control)
School - $100,000
Transfers under Article 5:
Allocate $200,000 from Free Cash to the Schools (any overruns above
$300,000 have to be managed within this year's school budget)
Free Cash Balance:
Certified 7/1/94: 1,670,000
Appropriated for FY96: 770,000
Supp. Appropriation for FY95: 200,000
Balance after 1995 T.M. 700,000